Argentina and Brazil: Classic Cities and Falls

Explore the pulsating Argentine capital on this fascinating day tour of the city’s iconic destinations and eclectic neighborhoods. Set off from your hotel in the company of your guide, enjoying a leisurely tour of Buenos Aires. Walk through the colorful working class neighborhood of La Boca, where the spirit and culture of its immigrants population lives on. Visit the contrasting locality of Palermo with its open green spaces, wide tree-lined avenues, and trendy bars and restaurants. Next, walk over to the chic French residential neighborhood of Recoleta, teeming with classy art galleries and cultural centers. If you’re lucky, you could even catch an exhibition or two while visiting the district. Also visit the Recoleta Cemetery, to find the graves of notable people, including Eva Perón. Then continue with the city’s iconic landmarks, such as the Colon Theater, the National Congress, and the Presidential Palace, before returning to your hotel. (Full Day; Duration: 8 hrs; Private Activity & Transfer; Lunch is not included. Fitness Level: Easy; Please bring comfortable walking shoes, and don’t forget your camera).

Explore the San Telmo neighborhood in Buenos Aires and sample some of Argentina’s iconic dishes on this walking tour. Your expert guide will lead you through the cobbled streets of San Telmo and introduce you to the city’s food history and culture. Take a mini-masterclass on how to make Mate, the South American herbal tea, and learn what it takes to become a ‘cebador’ – the person who brews Mate. Pair your Mate with dulce de leche-filled alfajores, a traditional confection. Try empanadas, a picada of cheese and cured meats, and Argentine cocktails. Visit a neo-bodegon, where the city’s youth are reinventing grandma’s cuisine. The dishes change according to the seasons. Depending on when you visit, you may sample mushroom and chimichurri croquettes, blue cheese and pineapple palmerita, or milanesa. Along the way, stop to see the San Telmo Church and Dorrego Square. Then wander through Argentina’s most iconic market, the centennial San Telmo Market. Meet some of the locals behind the stalls and learn about their food histories and traditions. (Duration: 4 hrs; Time: 1100 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Meals included: tastings & drinks; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy)

Gain a deep perspective of the breathtaking waterfalls, recently named one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Three sets of trails and walkways allow you to explore the natural beauty of the falls and the surrounding jungle as you walk through the national park. On the lower circuit take in a view of the falls from below, feeling part of the natural surroundings, and sensing their great magnitude. The upper circuit takes you above the falls where you get a different perspective of the same waterfalls you just saw on the lower circuit. Hop on one of the open-top carriages of the Jungle Ecological Train and enjoy a 15-20 minute ride through the forest to the start of the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) trail, where you stand just feet from the thundering cascades of water tumbling to depths below. (From 09:00 to 15:00. Timing can vary and will be reconfirmed on the ground. Private Activity. Devils Throat may be closed due to flooding during your visit, this is a yearly occurrence that can happen within rainy season. Access to Devils Throat will be assessed closer to arrival date)

Enhance your visit to the Argentina side of the Iguazu Waterfalls with an exciting boat ride up the Iguazu River. Begin your adventure in the heart of the national park with a ride by truck through the subtropical rainforest to the launch point on the river. Embark on a thirty minute navigation up the Iguazu River. End this fun-filled adventure by going up under the waterfalls themselves, getting a stunning view, and also nice and wet. (Duration around 2:15 hours, Group Activity, Maximum 45 people in the boat, Combined with the Visit to the Argentine Side of Iguazu Waterfalls Activity. Important: you will get wet, please bring a rain poncho and/or extra clothes)

On this half day tour, take in the incredible panoramic view of Iguazu Waterfalls. From the amazing vantage points in Brazil, marvel at the sheer beauty and amazing magnitude of this natural wonder. (Duration: Half day, if you have a preference for timing, please tell your travel consultant at the time of booking, otherwise our team will schedule the tour at the best available time. Travel time to activity 1-2 hrs, depending on border crossing for Brazil; Private Activity)

Discover two of Rio de Janeiro’s most famous landmarks and enjoy spectacular views of the city on this full day tour. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel after breakfast and drive you to Corcovado Hill. Board the train at the bottom of the hill and climb 2,300 ft to see the Christ the Redeemer statue, one of the seven ‘New Wonders of the World’. Disembark from the train and take the elevator or escalator to the foot of the statue. Gaze up at the 124 ft tall statue, that includes the pedestal, and soak in panoramic views of the city below. Then descend the mountain and stop for a BBQ lunch at a local restaurant. After your meal, head out to see ‘Pão de Açúcar’, or Sugarloaf Mountain, that rises up from a small peninsula at the entrance of Guanabara Bay. Take the first glass cable car to the top of Urca Hill, roughly 700 ft above sea level. Pause here to admire the view of the bay and its surrounding islands. Finally, board the second cable car to the top of Sugarloaf, a height of around 1,300 ft. From here you can see the entire city, its beautiful beaches, and out across the Atlantic Ocean. (Duration: full day; Private activity & transfers; Meals included: lunch; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance)

Explore the bohemian hilltop locality of Santa Teresa and soak in its charm. Located on Morro do Desterro, the area is known for its artsy vibe, architecture and historic cable cars that ply the narrow streets. At the scheduled time, you will be picked up from your hotel and driven by private vehicle to the neighborhood of Cosme Velho on the slopes of Corcovado mountain. Head to the Castle of Valentim, the former residence of Commander Antonio Valentim, that lies in Santa Teresa. Stop at Parque das Ruinas to take in splendid views of the city before visiting the Chacara do Ceu Museu. Housed within the erstwhile residence of prominent industrialist Raymundo Ottoni de Castro Maya, the museum has a small but important collection of Brazilian and European art. Your knowledgeable guide will point out works by artists such as Portinari, Di Cavalcanti and Matisse. You can also see furniture and maps from the 17th and 18th centuries. Next, check out the beautiful Selaron Staircase by Chilean-born artist Jorge Selaron. Each step along the colorful staircase is made of ceramics, mirrors and tiles. After, visit the area of Largo do Guimaraes which is packed with bars and restaurants. You could buy yourself a meal here before driving back to your hotel. (Duration: half day; Private activity & transfers)